Packaging and applicator device including a wiper member provided with at least one non-radial slot

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a packaging and applicator device comprising: 
     a receptacle including a composition for application; 
     an applicator comprising a stem and an applicator member for applying the composition contained in the receptacle; and 
     a wiper member that is disposed in the receptacle and that is for wiping the applicator while the applicator is being removed from the receptacle, the wiper member comprising:
         at least one wiper lip ( 20 ) defining an orifice ( 21 ); and   at least one slot ( 25 ) that is connected in grazing manner to the orifice ( 21 ), and that extends over less than one complete turn about the axis of the orifice.

The present invention relates to packaging and applicator devices for applying a cosmetic composition, including a care product, and it relates more particularly to devices comprising a receptacle and an applicator comprising a stem and an applicator member for inserting into the receptacle so as to be loaded with composition.

It is usual to provide such devices with a wiper member for wiping the applicator member while the applicator is being removed from the receptacle.

The wiper member conventionally includes a tubular body that presents a top rim that comes to bear against the top edge of the neck of the receptacle, the tubular body being extended by a wiper lip defining a wiper orifice of diameter that is adapted to the diameter of the stem.

Publications WO 2007/004156, EP 1 714 579, and EP 1 772 074 disclose embodiments of wiper members.

Various solutions have been proposed to make it easier for the applicator member to pass through the wiper member.

Wiper members presenting fins have thus been proposed as disclosed in DE 197 44 181. The fins are spaced apart relative to one another, and the opening of each space defined between the fins in the orifice presents a depth that enables streaks of composition to remain on the stem. Such streaks are likely to soil the closure cap of the receptacle. In addition, choosing the characteristics of the fins can be difficult because of the different kinds of applicator that might pass through the wiper member, e.g. brushes, combs, or flocked endpieces.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,390,298 discloses a wiper member that is provided with a helical slot that extends over more than one turn around the axis of the orifice. Such a wiper member can turn out to be unsatisfactory in use, when the composition accumulates in the slot or inside the wiper member.

There exists a need to wipe the stem and the applicator member in relatively uniform and effective manner, without hindering the insertion of the applicator into the receptacle and its removal therefrom, even when the applicator member is relatively wide.

There also exists a need to benefit from a wiper member that is capable of adapting to applicator members of different shapes.

The invention seeks to satisfy all or some of those needs and, in one of its aspects, it provides a packaging and applicator device comprising:

-   -   a receptacle including a composition for application;     -   an applicator comprising a stem and an applicator member for         applying the composition contained in the receptacle; and     -   a wiper member that is disposed in the receptacle and that is         for wiping the applicator while being removed from the         receptacle, the wiper member comprising:         -   at least one wiper lip defining an orifice; and         -   at least one slot that is connected in grazing manner to the             orifice, and that extends over less than one complete turn             about the axis of the orifice.

By means of the invention, when the wiper lip deforms elastically, it benefits from a novel bending action and from novel wiping abilities, remedying all or some of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

The wiper lip can be capable of varying its wiping diameter to a great extent without any stretching that might spoil or damage the wiper member, and while also wiping the stem in satisfactory manner.

The invention makes it possible to wipe an applicator member of relatively large diameter, while wiping the stem correctly.

By orienting the slots in this way, the invention makes it possible to reduce the risk of streaks forming on the stem. The wiping provided by the invention also exerts an influence on the way in which the applicator member is loaded with composition.

The slot may join the orifice along a direction that forms an angle of not more than 40°, better not more than 25°, 15°, or 10°, still better not more than 5°, relative to the tangent to the orifice, for example.

The wiper member may be made, at least in part, out of an elastically-deformable material, for example: an elastomer, e.g. vulcanized elastomer, silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM); a thermoplastic elastomer; styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS); styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS); Hytrel®; Pebax®; polyethylene (PE); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyamide (PA); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); or polystyrene (PS).

At least one slot of the invention may extend radially outwards in a spiral or it may be rectilinear.

At least one slot of the invention may extend over less than half a turn, or even less than one third of a turn or one fourth of a turn. This makes it possible to increase the number of slots, which number may be three, for example.

The wiper lip may extend substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the orifice, or, in a variant, it may converge towards the inside of the receptacle, or, in another variant, it may diverge towards the inside of the receptacle. The wiper lip may present undulations, where appropriate.

The wiper lip may be formed with a plurality of slots of the invention, which slots may be of equal or different lengths, and may optionally turn in the same direction, clockwise or anticlockwise, about the axis of the orifice.

The orifice may optionally be circular, and it may optionally be central, the slots optionally being suitable for being disposed with axial symmetry about the axis of the orifice. The slots may cross and define an orifice of section that is not circular, thereby leading to preferential wiping, and enabling the applicator member to be loaded with more composition on one side, for example.

The wiper member may include a tubular body for engaging in the neck of the receptacle, the body possibly including, at its top portion, a rim that comes to bear against the top edge of the neck of the receptacle.

The or each slot of the invention may have a radially-outer end that is set back from the body, or, in a variant, that reaches the body.

The wiper member may include limiter means for limiting the distance through which the wiper lip moves in at least one direction. By way of example, the limiter means may comprise an insert, e.g. an annular insert, that is, for example, fastened on the body above the wiper lip, in such a manner as to limit the distance said wiper lip can move upwards. The insert may be fitted or overmolded.

The limiter means for limiting flexing may alternatively comprise an adjuster member that is axially movable relative to the receptacle, said adjuster member having an axial position relative to the receptacle that determines the stroke through which the wiper lip can move in one direction.

In an embodiment of the invention, the wiper member includes a second wiper lip that may be situated below or above the first wiper lip that is provided with slots of the invention. The second wiper lip may optionally be made with slots of the invention, and the slots of the two lips may be superposed or they may be offset.

At least one slot can remain relatively close to the orifice, e.g. extending no more than 4 millimeters (mm) away from the orifice. By way of example, the radially-outermost end of the slot is situated at a distance from the orifice that lies in the range 0.5 mm to 6 mm, e.g. in the range 0.5 mm to 3.5 mm.

The length of at least one slot may lie in the range 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and its width may lie in the range 0 to 1 mm, for example.

The thickness of the lip, in particular in the region of the or each slot, may lie in the range 0.1 mm to 2 mm, with said thickness optionally being constant. The thickness of a slot, measured parallel to the axis of the wiper member, may be constant or it may vary.

The or each slot of the invention may optionally be closed at rest.

The or each slot of the invention may present a width that is constant or that varies, or even different widths for different slots.

A slot may be defined between faces that may be parallel or non-parallel, e.g. converging or diverging towards the inside of the receptacle.

The wiper member may be made up of two parts, namely a rigid support and a portion that is fitted or overmolded thereon and that includes the flexible lip.

The stem may be connected to a closure member for closing the receptacle.

The wiper member may include fastener means for fastening in the neck, such as a portion in relief that is arranged so as to snap-fasten inside the neck, for example.

The wiper member may alternatively include at least one portion in relief that is arranged so as to snap-fasten below the neck, bearing against the wall of the receptacle to which the neck is connected.

The distance between the edge of a slot of the invention, facing the opening via which it joins to the orifice, and the middle of the opening, as measured perpendicularly to the tangent to the orifice, may be less than or equal to 0.5 mm, better less than or equal to 0.2 mm, for at least one slot, and preferably for all of the slots.

The outer shape of the wiper member need not be circularly symmetrical, e.g. the wiper member may be engaged in a neck of cross-section that is not circular, e.g. of cross-section that is polygonal, e.g. square.

By way of example, the orifice of the wiper member may be of transverse dimension that increases by a factor of two or three before stretching the material to the point of damaging the wiper member.

In another of its aspects, the invention also provides a packaging and applicator device comprising:

-   -   a receptacle containing a composition for application;     -   an applicator comprising a stem and an applicator member carried         by the stem for applying the composition contained in the         receptacle; and     -   a wiper member that is disposed in the receptacle and that is         for wiping the applicator while the applicator is being removed         from the receptacle, the wiper member comprising:         -   at least one wiper lip defining an orifice; and         -   at least one slot that is connected to the orifice and that             extends over less than one complete turn about the axis of             the orifice, the slot having dimensions and joining the             orifice at an angle that are selected so that on removing             the stem, no streak of composition visible to the naked eye             is formed on the stem.

The composition may be: a cosmetic composition, in particular a mascara, a lipstick, a lipgloss, a nail varnish, or an eyeliner; a care product for the lips, the eyelashes, the nails, or the skin; or a composition for the hair.

The applicator member may be selected from: brushes, injection-molded or twisted core; combs; paint brushes; flocked endpieces; felts; foams; and any molded applicator, e.g. of the screw type.

The wiper lip may by flocked, at least in part.

The wiper member may include magnetizable particles, e.g. ferrites.

The wiper member may contribute to closing the receptacle in sealed manner, where appropriate.

The wiper member may incorporate at least one bactericide or anti-fungal agent.

The stem may include a constriction that comes to be positioned level with the wiper lip when in the storage configuration, so as to avoid stressing the wiper lip at rest.

Where appropriate, the receptacle may include emptying means comprising at least one wall that is movable inside the receptacle, as disclosed in US 2005/0232681.

The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section of an example of a packaging and applicator device made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section showing the wiper member of the FIG. 1 device in isolation;

FIG. 3 is a plan view as seen looking along arrow III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment detail of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a variant embodiment of the wiper member;

FIGS. 6 to 11, 19, and 20 are views similar to FIG. 3 showing variant embodiments of the wiper member;

FIGS. 12 to 16, and 18 are longitudinal sections similar to FIG. 2 showing variant embodiments of the wiper member;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary section of a receptacle including an adjuster member for adjusting wiping; and

FIGS. 21 to 23 show examples of slots shapes in section.

FIG. 1 shows a packaging and applicator device 1 including a receptacle 2 filled with a cosmetic composition P for makeup or care purposes, e.g. a mascara.

The device 1 further includes an applicator 3 having an applicator member 10 at a first end of a stem 8, said stem being connected via its second end to a closure cap 9 for closing the receptacle 2, said closure cap possibly being suitable for being screwed thereon, for example. In the embodiment described, the stem 8 is of constant circular section, but the stem of the applicator could present some other section.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 by way of example, the applicator member 10 is constituted by a brush including a metal core having a right-hand twist or a left-hand twist, the bristles being pinched between the turns of the core. Naturally, it is not beyond the ambit of the present invention for the brush to have a core that is not twisted, or for the applicator member to be other than a brush. The following description applies to any applicator member.

In the embodiment under consideration, the longitudinal axis of the applicator member 10 coincides with the longitudinal axis of the stem 8 and with the longitudinal axis of the device 1, but the longitudinal axis of the applicator member 10 could be oriented differently, and could optionally be rectilinear.

The device 1 includes a wiper member 6, shown in isolation in FIG. 2, of longitudinal axis X, and that is fastened on the neck 5 of the receptacle 2.

The wiper member 6, shown in isolation in FIG. 2, includes a tubular body 15 of axis X, e.g. circularly symmetrical about the axis X, which body can, as shown, be provided at its top end with a rim 16 that comes to bear against the top edge 17 of the neck 5.

The wiper member 6 can also include at least one fastener portion in relief 18 making it possible to snap-fasten the wiper member 6 in the neck 5, e.g. by coming to bear against the bottom face 19 of a shoulder of the receptacle, which shoulder is situated at the base of the neck 5, as shown in FIG. 1. By way of example, the fastener portion in relief 18 is an inclined rib projecting from the body 15.

The wiper member 6 also includes a wiper lip 20 that extends inside the body 15, for example, and that defines a wiper orifice 21, e.g. that is circular of axis X and of diameter that is close to the diameter of the stem 8. The inside diameter of the orifice is 3 mm, for example, and the stem can present an outside diameter of 3.2 mm or 3.5 mm, for example.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the wiper lip 20 is formed with one or more slots 25 that, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, join the orifice 21 in grazing manner.

The term “in grazing manner” should be understood to mean that the general direction T of the slot 25 coming up to the orifice 21 is inclined little relative to the tangent to the orifice 21 at the junction point, said tangent being substantially perpendicular to the radius R at the junction point when the orifice 21 is of circular section. The angle α between the direction T and the tangent can be less than 40°, as shown in FIG. 4, better less than 25°, 15°, 10°, or 5°.

At least one slot can remain relatively close to the orifice, e.g. extending no more than 4 mm away from the orifice. By way of example, the radially-outermost end of the slot is situated at a distance 5 from the orifice that lies in the range 0.5 mm to 4 mm.

The length of at least one slot can lie in the range 0.5 mm to 10 mm. The thickness of the lip, in particular in the region of the or each slot, can lie in the range 0.1 mm to 2 mm, with said thickness optionally being constant.

The or each slot 25 can have edges that touch at rest. In a variant, as shown in FIG. 5, the edges of the or each slot 25 need not touch at rest, with said slot(s) being made by removing material or by molding with a small gap, for example. The gap i between the opposite edges of each slot lies in the range 0.1 mm to 1 mm, for example, with said gap optionally being of constant width.

The distance d between the middle of the opening 100 and the facing edge 101 of the slot 25, measured perpendicularly to the tangent to the orifice at the opening, can be less than or equal to 0.5 mm, better less than or equal to 0.2 mm.

By way of example, the number of slots 25 may lie in the range 1 to about 10, e.g. lying in the range 2 to 8, and preferably in the range 3 to 6.

Each of the slots 25 extends angularly about the axis X over an angular extent that is less than 360°.

The slots 25 can extend as far as the body 15, as shown in FIG. 6, or they can remain set back from said body, as shown in FIG. 3.

The slots 25 can be identical, ignoring angular offset about the axis X, or they can be different, the wiper member including alternating slots of different lengths, for example, as shown in FIG. 7.

The slots 25 can extend radially outwards in a spiral, as shown in FIG. 10. A slot 25 can be terminated by a hole 25 a, as shown also in this figure.

At least one slot can extend along a path that does not extend in monotonic manner away from the center of the orifice, as shown in FIG. 9, e.g. a path including undulations on either side of a mid-line that can follow a spiral path.

Where appropriate, the lip 20 can include a plurality of slots 25 that cross, e.g. two slots 25 extending in oppositely-handed spirals, as shown in FIG. 11. This results in an orifice 21 that is not circular, thereby making it possible to wipe the applicator member in preferential manner.

It can be seen in FIGS. 19 and 20 that the orifice 21 can present a section that is not circular, e.g. that is polygonal or oval, the stem 8 being fastened on the receptacle without turning, for example.

The orifice 21 can present axial symmetry.

It can be seen in FIGS. 21 to 23 that a slot 25 can be defined between faces 120 and 121 of the lip 20 that are optionally touching and that are optionally parallel.

The lip 20 can extend so as to converge towards the inside of the receptacle, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 16, or, in a variant, so as to diverge towards the inside of the receptacle, as shown in FIG. 13.

The wiper member 6 can have two wipers, for example it can include a second wiper lip 60 above the wiper lip 20, the second wiper lip 60 optionally being formed with slots of the invention, where appropriate.

In a variant not shown, the second wiper lip 60 can be situated below the first.

It can also be seen in FIG. 14 that the stem 8 can include an annular constriction 8 a that comes to be positioned level with the orifice 21 in the storage configuration.

When the wiper member includes a second lip 60, the orifice of said second lip can be larger, matching the diameter of the stem away from constriction 8 a.

In the presence of two lips, one or both can have slots of the invention. When both lips have slots, said slots can be superposed or angularly offset.

In the variant shown in FIG. 15, the wiper member 6 includes an insert 70 that reduces the ability of the lip 20 to move upwards. By way of example, the insert 70 is in the form of a ring of relatively-rigid plastics material that can be fitted, e.g. fastened by snap-fastening, in the wiper member 6, or, in a variant, that can be overmolded onto the material of the wiper member.

The wiper member 6 can also be used in association with a limiter or adjuster member 80 that makes it possible to limit and/or to adjust movement of the wiper lip 20 in at least one direction, specifically upward movement in the embodiment in FIG. 16.

The member 80 can be movable axially relative to the receptacle, e.g. by means of a threaded mounting skirt 81 that is suitable for being screw-fastened to a greater or lesser extent on the receptacle, e.g. on its neck.

The member 80 can itself include a threaded neck 82 for mounting the applicator.

The member 80 includes an extension 83 that is engaged in the body 15 of the wiper member, leaving a distance j to the wiper lip that can be adjusted by the user.

While the applicator is being removed, the wiper lip 20 comes into abutment against the bottom end of the extension 83, thereby limiting upward movement.

Depending on the value of the distance j, the wiper lip 20 is free to move to a greater or lesser extent, and it is thus possible to wipe the applicator member more or less thoroughly.

Other examples of configurations that make it possible to vary wiping are disclosed in EP 1 772 074, and they can be used in association with a wiper member made in accordance with the invention.

In the variant shown in FIG. 18, the wiper member 6, shown in part, is made up of at least two portions, namely a support portion 110 and a wiper portion 111 that is fastened on the support portion 110 and that includes the wiper lip 20. By way of example, the support portion 110 is made of a material that is more rigid than the material of the wiper portion.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

In particular, characteristics of the various embodiments can be combined together within variants not shown.

The expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one” unless specified to the contrary. 

1. A packaging and applicator device (1) comprising: a receptacle (2) including a composition for application; an applicator comprising a stem (8) and an applicator member (10) for applying the composition contained in the receptacle; and a wiper member (6) that is disposed in the receptacle and that is for wiping the applicator while the applicator is being removed from the receptacle, the wiper member comprising: at least one wiper lip (20) defining an orifice (21); and at least one slot (25) that is connected in grazing manner to the orifice (21), and that extends over less than one complete turn about the axis (X) of the orifice.
 2. A device according to claim 1, the wiper member (6) being made, at least in part, out of an elastically-deformable material.
 3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, the slot (25) extending radially outwards in a spiral.
 4. A device according to any preceding claim, the slot (25) extending over less than half a turn.
 5. A device according to any preceding claim, the wiper lip (20) extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis (X) of the orifice (21).
 6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the wiper lip (20) converging towards the inside of the receptacle.
 7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the wiper lip (20) diverging towards the inside of the receptacle.
 8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the wiper lip being formed with a plurality of slots (25).
 9. A device according to claim 8, the slots being of equal lengths.
 10. A device according to claim 8, the slots being of different lengths.
 11. A device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, the slots turning in the same direction about the axis of the orifice.
 12. A device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, at least two slots turning in opposite directions about the axis (X) of the orifice (21).
 13. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the orifice being circular.
 14. A device according to any preceding claim, the wiper member including a tubular body (15) for engaging in the neck of the receptacle.
 15. A device according to claim 14, the or each slot having a radially-outer end that is set back from the tubular body.
 16. A device according to claim 15, the or each slot having a radially-outer end that reaches the tubular body.
 17. A device according to any preceding claim, the wiper member including limiter means for limiting the distance through which the wiper lip moves in at least one direction.
 18. A device according to claim 17, the limiter means comprising an insert (70), in particular an insert that is fastened on the body (15) above the wiper lip (20), in such a manner as to limit the distance said wiper lip can move upwards.
 19. A device according to claim 17, the limiter means for limiting flexing comprising an adjuster member (80) that is axially movable relative to the receptacle, said adjuster member having an axial position relative to the receptacle that determines a stroke through which the wiper lip can move in one direction.
 20. A device according to any preceding claim, the wiper member (6) including a second wiper lip (60).
 21. A device according to any preceding claim, at least one slot (25) extending no more than 4 mm away from the orifice (21).
 22. A device according to any preceding claim, the composition being: a cosmetic composition, in particular a mascara, a lipstick, a lipgloss, a nail varnish, or an eyeliner; or a care product for the lips, the eyelashes, the nails, or the skin.
 23. A device according to any preceding claim, the applicator member being selected from brushes, paint brushes, flocked endpieces, felts, and foams.
 24. A device according to any preceding claim, the wiper member including magnetizable particles.
 25. A device according to any preceding claim, the or each slot (25) closing at rest.
 26. A device according to any preceding claim, the distance (d) between the edge (101) of the slot (25), facing its opening (100), and the middle of the opening, measured perpendicularly to the tangent to the orifice, being less than or equal to 0.5 mm, better less than or equal to 0.2 mm. 